Why Study French?

Given today's scientific, information-based, high-tech world, why would anyone study French? At its most elemental, French is about communication. The study of any foreign language enhances our understanding of our native tongue and heightens our awareness of the difficulty of communication in any language at all. French brings you into contact with a treasure of multinational literatures. The study of these literatures provides a melting pot of the humanities, bringing together history, philosophy, anthropology, theatre and more. The study of literature leads to a fuller understanding of cultural events of all sorts. Fictions are not just in books; they are everywhere. Politicians, advertisements, institutional authorities and everyday people use stories in order to shape their lives into more manageable, intelligible events. As a nation, the United States is in many ways remarkably single-minded. Americans tend to expect English to dominate in international trade and culture. The study of French opens one's mind to other points of view. It also helps one see how others view the United States. Today, French serves as a lingua franca not just within Europe, but also between Europe and such areas as North and West Africa. As countries within these regions move toward further interaction with developed nations, French will become an increasingly important tool.

Ashley English '98
Being a French major at Carleton really has its perks. For starters, the department is really small, so you get to know all of the professors really well and often have intimate classes of 15 or fewer people...no squinting down at the prof. from a lecture hall seat! Also, if you major in French it gives you a good excuse to spend time in France or another Francophone country. The French major isn't just all fun and games however. In addition to perfecting your language skills, you will refine your analytical skills and your ability to appreciate other cultures. So if munching on a Camembert sandwich while reading Voltaire at a Paris cafe in springtime appeals to you... the French department is for you!

Professional Life
But what can one do with French? There are, of course, some obvious career opportunities associated with studies in French (either as a major or as a secondary field of study), including such fields as teaching and translation. Most people, however, do not pursue these obvious choices. In fact, studies in French prepare one of many of the same kinds of careers available to other fields in the humanities, that is, fields in which students learn critical thinking, interpretive skills and problem solving. Such careers include, but are not limited to, law, publishing, journalism, business and government.

The knowledge of French language and culture can expand these opportunities, broadening them to include branches of more international appeal, such as international journalism and international law. It is however, impossible to provide a complete list of career opportunities in French. Our alumni have combined French with fields as varied as Biology and Economics, and they have used their training in French with organizations as diverse as the International Herald Tribune and the World Bank. We encourage you to consult with the Career Center about how best to mold your various interests into a professional life.